Our History: Re-enactor enjoys telling tale of military’s role

In 1862, the 114th Illinois Infantry was mustered into federal service east of Springfield at Camp Butler, a major mustering-in site for the Civil War.

After a series of campaigns and posts, the war ended and the unit was deactivated.

But that wasn’t the end of the 114th. In 1969, Gov. Samuel H. Shapiro decided to reactivate the unit to act as a ceremonial guard, honor soldiers, and educate the public.

Don Ferricks, became one of those soldiers in 1983, a member of the 114th Illinois Infantry Reactivated.

Beginning as private and rising to the rank of colonel, Ferricks, now 68, has served in multiple venues. A member of the 28th Illinois Infantry (Menard County) in 1976, the span of his re-enacting career includes being cast in the television miniseries “North and South,” and the film “Glory.” He participated in the 130th anniversary of the Battle of Stone’s River in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and has taken many other trips to re-enact the Civil War.

“I love history … taking our Civil War story to the public (and) to school kids,” says Ferricks, who spends his summers in his hot, scratchy uniform teaching Civil War history.

In addition to color guard presentations at the Old State Capitol and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Ferricks and other members of the 114th participate in the summer flag retreat ceremonies Tuesday evenings at the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield.

There’s always a crowd, Ferricks says, rain or shine. And it’s as authentic as it gets — with drum, bugles, muskets and a cannon. Each soldier executes his role, marching to the drumbeat with a musket balanced atop his shoulder. Col. Ferricks is among the ranks, wearing his wool uniform.

Ferricks especially enjoys his job as assistant curator at the Illinois State Military Museum, where, among other duties, he helps educate visitors and school groups as a member of the 114th or as a World War I military police officer. The museum is located at Camp Lincoln, home of the Illinois National Guard on North MacArthur Boulevard.

A husband, father, and grandfather, Ferricks is also a longtime member of many other military and civic organizations. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1963-67, and is retired from the Air National Guard (master sergeant, 183rd, Survival Equipment Shop). He is a member of the board of directors of the Lincoln Monument Association, and a member of the Athens Lions Club.

He is also a member of a few other re-enactment groups: the WWII 2nd Ranger Battalion, the First U.S. Infantry (1812), and a past member of the New Salem Militia.

Re-enacting can be fun, Ferricks says, but it requires time, money, and effort.

“Just to do a Tomb Ceremony — it’s about $1,500 to purchase the uniform and the musket,” Ferricks says. And that’s just one of the many uniforms he’s purchased for his hobby.

Page 2 of 2 - Participation isn’t limited to unit members. A civilian group — the Springfield Soldier’s Aid Society (SAS) — works alongside the regiment to help educate the public at Lincoln’s tomb and at the Old State Capitol. Ferricks’ wife Marilynn is a member of SAS — and she enjoys dressing as a colonel’s wife and helping educate the public in living history presentations, he says.

Joining organizations built around educating the public, patriotism, and honoring past soldiers is Ferricks’ way of keeping the past alive.

“I look at us as a very patriotic, military-type organization. We like to talk about the relationship of the 114th to the Civil War, and the relationship of these men to Abraham Lincoln — who would have known him.”

People interested in membership in the 114th or the SAS may contact Don Ferricks at 341-6467. Applicants must apply for membership and purchase a complete uniform within the first year of membership.

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Upcoming events

* Flag Retreat Ceremony: 7 p.m. Tuesdays through August, Lincoln Tomb, Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1500 Monument Ave. A random drawing for the flag will be held at the end of each ceremony.

* The Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd., is open 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, additional hours by appointment at 761-3910. Admission: free. Events include the Vietnam Encampment, July 26; and the Border Campaign Encampment, Sept. 6.